Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A keyboard, comprising: a substrate; an array of switches mounted on the substrate; an array of movable key members each of which overlaps a respective one of the switches to form a corresponding key; a touch sensor layer comprising a touch sensor that overlaps the key members, wherein the touch sensor comprises touch sensor signal lines on a flexible substrate; and an array of light sources overlapped by the key members, wherein the light sources emit light through the touch sensor layer and wherein the array of movable key members is interposed between the array of light sources and the touch sensor layer.
A keyboard system integrates mechanical key actuation with touch sensing and backlighting. The device includes a rigid substrate supporting an array of mechanical switches, each associated with a movable key member that forms a depressible key. A flexible touch sensor layer overlays the key members, incorporating touch sensor signal lines to detect touch inputs on the keys. The touch sensor layer is positioned above the key members, allowing touch detection even when keys are pressed. Beneath the key members, an array of light sources provides backlighting, with light passing through the touch sensor layer to illuminate the keys. The mechanical switches and touch sensors operate independently, enabling simultaneous detection of key presses and touch gestures. This design combines traditional mechanical key feedback with modern touch input capabilities, enhancing user interaction by supporting both physical and touch-based inputs. The flexible touch sensor layer ensures durability and responsiveness, while the backlighting improves visibility in low-light conditions. The system is particularly useful for devices requiring multi-modal input, such as laptops or gaming keyboards, where both tactile and touch interactions are beneficial.
2. The keyboard defined in claim 1 wherein the touch sensor signal lines comprise polymer doped with conductive particles.
Technical Summary: This invention relates to a keyboard with an integrated touch sensor system designed to enhance user interaction by detecting touch inputs on the keyboard surface. The keyboard includes a plurality of keys and a touch sensor system with signal lines that detect touch events. The touch sensor signal lines are made of a polymer material doped with conductive particles, which improves flexibility, durability, and signal transmission while maintaining conductivity. The polymer matrix provides mechanical robustness, while the conductive particles ensure electrical conductivity, allowing the sensor to accurately detect touch inputs. This design enables the keyboard to function as both an input device for typing and a touch-sensitive interface, improving user experience by enabling multi-modal interactions. The conductive polymer material also reduces manufacturing complexity and cost compared to traditional metal-based conductive lines, making the keyboard more practical for mass production. The touch sensor system can be integrated into the keyboard structure without significantly increasing thickness or weight, preserving the keyboard's portability and ergonomics. This technology is particularly useful in modern computing devices where touch and typing inputs are combined, such as in laptops, tablets, and hybrid devices.
3. The keyboard defined in claim 2 wherein the polymer comprises silicone.
A keyboard includes a plurality of keys, each key having a keycap and a switch mechanism. The keycap is coupled to the switch mechanism via a flexible polymer layer that allows the keycap to move relative to the switch mechanism. The polymer layer is designed to provide a tactile or audible feedback response when the key is pressed, enhancing the user experience. In this specific embodiment, the polymer comprises silicone, which offers durability, flexibility, and resistance to wear, ensuring long-term performance of the keyboard. The silicone polymer layer may also include additional features such as textured surfaces or embedded conductive elements to improve functionality. The keyboard is particularly useful in environments where tactile feedback is critical, such as gaming or professional typing applications, where precise and responsive key presses are essential. The use of silicone ensures that the keys maintain their responsiveness over time, even with frequent use.
4. The keyboard defined in claim 2 wherein the touch sensor signal lines are at least partially transparent.
A keyboard system includes a touch-sensitive input device with a plurality of touch sensor signal lines that are at least partially transparent. The keyboard is designed to detect touch inputs while maintaining visibility through the touch-sensitive surface, allowing for integration with displays or other transparent components. The touch sensor signal lines are configured to transmit touch data to a processing unit, which interprets the signals to determine touch locations and gestures. The transparency of the signal lines enables the keyboard to be overlaid on a display or used in applications where visual clarity is required, such as in augmented reality (AR) or heads-up display (HUD) systems. The touch-sensitive surface may include a flexible or rigid substrate, and the signal lines are arranged in a grid or other pattern to ensure accurate touch detection. The system may also include additional components, such as a backlight or haptic feedback mechanisms, to enhance user interaction. The transparent signal lines allow for seamless integration with underlying visual elements, improving functionality without obstructing the view. This design is particularly useful in applications where space is limited or where visual transparency is essential, such as in wearable devices or interactive displays.
5. The keyboard defined in claim 1 further comprising: a layer of fabric that covers the touch sensor.
A keyboard system includes a touch sensor integrated into the keyboard to detect touch inputs, such as gestures or finger positions, for controlling device functions. The touch sensor is embedded within the keyboard structure, allowing users to interact with the keyboard beyond traditional key presses. The system may include a processor that interprets touch inputs to trigger specific actions, such as adjusting volume, navigating menus, or executing commands. The touch sensor may be configured to detect multi-touch inputs, enabling complex gestures like swipes or pinches for enhanced functionality. The keyboard may also include a communication interface to transmit touch data to an external device, such as a computer or smartphone, for further processing. Additionally, the keyboard includes a layer of fabric covering the touch sensor, providing a protective and tactile surface while maintaining touch sensitivity. The fabric layer may be removable or replaceable, allowing for customization or cleaning. This design enhances durability and user experience by combining traditional keyboard functionality with advanced touch-based interactions.
6. The keyboard defined in claim 5 wherein the layer of fabric comprises an array of openings and wherein the array of light sources emit light through the openings.
A flexible keyboard system addresses the need for durable, portable, and visually customizable input devices. The keyboard includes a flexible substrate with a layer of fabric integrated into its structure. The fabric layer contains an array of openings that align with an underlying array of light sources. These light sources emit light through the openings, allowing for dynamic backlighting or visual feedback. The fabric layer provides a tactile surface for typing while maintaining flexibility and resistance to wear. The light sources can be individually controlled to create patterns, indicators, or customizable lighting effects. This design enhances user interaction by combining durability with visual customization, making it suitable for portable or wearable electronic devices. The system ensures reliable input functionality while offering aesthetic and functional adaptability through the illuminated fabric layer.
7. The keyboard defined in claim 6 further comprising: a diffuser interposed between the touch sensor layer and the layer of fabric.
This invention relates to an improved keyboard design that enhances touch sensitivity and user experience. The keyboard includes a touch sensor layer for detecting user input and a layer of fabric that provides a tactile surface. A key feature is the inclusion of a diffuser interposed between the touch sensor layer and the fabric layer. The diffuser improves the uniformity of touch detection by scattering light or electrical signals, ensuring consistent responsiveness across the keyboard surface. This design addresses the problem of uneven touch sensitivity in fabric-covered keyboards, which can lead to missed inputs or inconsistent performance. The diffuser ensures that touch inputs are accurately captured regardless of where the user presses, enhancing reliability and user satisfaction. The keyboard may also include other components such as a base structure, a flexible circuit layer, and a backlighting system, all integrated to provide a seamless and responsive typing experience. The diffuser's placement between the sensor and fabric layers optimizes signal distribution, making the keyboard more durable and precise. This innovation is particularly useful in modern keyboards where fabric materials are preferred for aesthetics and comfort but can compromise touch accuracy. The diffuser resolves this trade-off by maintaining both tactile appeal and functional performance.
8. The keyboard defined in claim 6 wherein the touch sensor layer is interposed between the layer of fabric and the array of light sources and wherein the light passes through the touch sensor signal lines.
This invention relates to a keyboard with integrated touch sensing and backlighting, addressing the challenge of combining tactile input with visual feedback in a compact, flexible design. The keyboard includes a layer of fabric with an array of light sources positioned beneath it to provide backlighting. A touch sensor layer is placed between the fabric layer and the light sources, enabling touch detection while allowing light to pass through. The touch sensor layer includes signal lines that are transparent or arranged to minimize obstruction of the light, ensuring uniform illumination. The light sources are arranged in a grid or pattern to provide even lighting across the keyboard. The fabric layer may include conductive traces or other elements to facilitate touch sensing, while the light sources are embedded or attached in a way that maintains flexibility. This design allows for a thin, flexible keyboard that can detect touch inputs while providing backlighting, suitable for use in wearable or portable devices. The touch sensor layer's signal lines are designed to be optically transparent or positioned to avoid blocking light, ensuring that the backlighting remains effective. The overall structure integrates touch sensing and illumination in a single, compact layer stack.
9. The keyboard defined in claim 6 wherein the openings are arranged in the shape of an alphanumeric character.
A keyboard system includes a base structure with a plurality of openings that allow light to pass through. The openings are arranged in a pattern that forms the shape of an alphanumeric character, such as a letter or number, when viewed from above. This design enhances visual appeal and functionality by providing backlighting or illumination effects that highlight the character shape. The keyboard may include a light source positioned below the base structure to emit light through the openings, creating a visible alphanumeric character on the surface. The openings can be configured in various sizes and distributions to form distinct character shapes, improving user interaction and aesthetics. The system may also include additional features such as a flexible membrane or a rigid support structure to maintain the integrity of the keyboard while allowing light transmission. This invention addresses the need for visually distinctive and functional keyboard designs that incorporate illuminated character patterns for improved user experience.
10. The keyboard defined in claim 9 wherein the touch sensor signal lines do not overlap the alphanumeric character.
A keyboard system includes a touch-sensitive input device with a plurality of keys, each key having a touch sensor with signal lines. The touch sensor detects touch input on the key surface, and the signal lines transmit the touch data to a processing unit. The signal lines are arranged such that they do not overlap the alphanumeric characters printed or displayed on the key surface. This design ensures that the touch sensor's signal lines do not interfere with the visibility or readability of the characters, maintaining a clean and unobstructed key surface. The touch sensor may be a capacitive, resistive, or other type of touch-sensitive layer integrated into or beneath the key surface. The processing unit interprets the touch data to determine key presses and other touch interactions, such as swipes or gestures. The keyboard may be part of a standalone device or integrated into a larger system, such as a computer or mobile device. The non-overlapping signal lines improve both the aesthetic and functional performance of the keyboard by preventing signal interference and ensuring accurate touch detection.
11. The keyboard defined in claim 1 wherein the touch sensor signal lines comprise transparent material in regions of the touch sensor that overlap the switches and non-transparent material in regions of the touch sensor that are non-overlapping with the switches.
A keyboard system integrates a touch sensor layer with mechanical switches to provide both touch input and key actuation. The touch sensor layer includes signal lines that are partially transparent and partially non-transparent. The transparent regions of the signal lines are positioned to overlap with the underlying mechanical switches, allowing light to pass through for optical sensing or display purposes while maintaining touch functionality. The non-transparent regions of the signal lines are placed in areas that do not overlap the switches, ensuring signal integrity and preventing interference with optical components. This design enables the keyboard to support touch-based interactions, such as gesture recognition or proximity sensing, alongside traditional key presses, enhancing versatility in input methods. The transparent signal lines in overlapping regions avoid obstructing optical components, while the non-transparent sections in non-overlapping areas ensure reliable signal transmission. This configuration is particularly useful in keyboards with integrated displays or optical sensors, where maintaining optical clarity and touch sensitivity is critical. The touch sensor layer operates independently of the mechanical switches, allowing for simultaneous or sequential input detection. The system may also include additional features, such as backlighting or haptic feedback, to further enhance user experience.
12. The keyboard defined in claim 11 wherein the transparent material comprises indium tin oxide and the non-transparent material comprises metal.
A keyboard system includes a transparent material layer and a non-transparent material layer, where the transparent material is indium tin oxide (ITO) and the non-transparent material is metal. The keyboard is designed to enhance visibility and functionality, particularly in applications requiring transparency, such as overlay keyboards for touchscreens or displays. The transparent ITO layer allows light to pass through, enabling underlying content to remain visible, while the metal layer provides structural support and electrical conductivity for key actuation. The combination of these materials ensures durability, conductivity, and optical clarity. This design is useful in devices where a keyboard must be integrated with a display without obstructing the view, such as in touchscreen smartphones, tablets, or interactive kiosks. The metal layer may also serve as a reflective or conductive element, improving touch sensitivity or providing additional functionality. The keyboard may include multiple layers, with the ITO and metal layers arranged to optimize transparency and performance. This invention addresses the need for transparent, functional keyboards that do not compromise visibility or usability in integrated display systems.
13. The keyboard defined in claim 1 wherein the touch sensor signal lines comprise a metal mesh.
A keyboard system includes a touch sensor array integrated with a keyboard to detect touch inputs on the keyboard surface. The touch sensor array comprises multiple touch sensor signal lines that transmit touch data to a processing unit. These signal lines are formed using a metal mesh structure, which provides improved conductivity and durability compared to traditional conductive materials. The metal mesh design enhances signal transmission efficiency while maintaining flexibility and resistance to wear. The keyboard system may also include a flexible substrate supporting the touch sensor array, allowing for seamless integration with the keyboard's mechanical structure. The touch sensor array is configured to detect touch inputs across the entire keyboard surface, enabling multi-touch functionality and gesture recognition. The metal mesh signal lines reduce signal interference and improve touch sensitivity, ensuring accurate and responsive touch detection. This design is particularly useful in keyboards where touch input is combined with traditional key presses, providing a versatile input interface for computing devices. The metal mesh construction also allows for thinner and more lightweight keyboard designs while maintaining structural integrity. The system may further include a controller that processes touch data from the sensor array and translates it into corresponding commands for the computing device. The integration of the touch sensor array with the keyboard eliminates the need for separate touch-sensitive overlays, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing overall device thickness.
14. A keyboard, comprising: a substrate; at least one key having a movable key member that is configured to close a switch mounted to the substrate in response to pressure applied to the movable key member; a layer of fabric that overlaps the at least one key, wherein the layer of fabric has at least one opening; a grid of conductive lines on the layer of fabric, wherein the conductive lines form a capacitive touch sensor that overlaps the key; and a light source mounted to the substrate that emits light through the at least one opening to illuminate the at least one key.
A keyboard includes a substrate with at least one key having a movable key member that actuates a switch when pressed. A layer of fabric overlays the key, featuring at least one opening aligned with the key. Embedded within the fabric is a grid of conductive lines forming a capacitive touch sensor that detects touch input over the key. Additionally, a light source mounted to the substrate emits light through the fabric opening to illuminate the key. The fabric layer integrates both touch sensing and illumination functionality while maintaining a flexible, fabric-based construction. The capacitive touch sensor enables touch-based interaction with the key, while the light source provides backlighting for visibility. The design combines mechanical key actuation with capacitive touch sensing and illumination in a single, fabric-overlaid keyboard structure. This approach enhances user interaction by allowing both physical key presses and touch input, along with visual feedback through backlighting, all within a compact, fabric-integrated design. The fabric layer serves as both a protective cover and an interactive surface, improving durability and functionality.
15. The keyboard defined in claim 14 wherein the conductive lines comprise transparent conductive lines.
A keyboard system includes a flexible substrate with a plurality of conductive lines and a plurality of keys. The keys are arranged in a grid pattern and are electrically connected to the conductive lines. The conductive lines are configured to detect key presses by measuring changes in electrical properties, such as resistance or capacitance, when a key is pressed. The system may include a controller that processes signals from the conductive lines to determine which key has been pressed. The conductive lines may be transparent, allowing the keyboard to be integrated into a display or other transparent surface without obstructing visibility. The flexible substrate enables the keyboard to conform to curved or irregular surfaces, enhancing its adaptability in various applications. The keyboard may also include a protective layer to shield the conductive lines and keys from environmental damage. The transparent conductive lines allow for optical transparency, making the keyboard suitable for use in touch-sensitive displays or overlay applications where visibility is critical. The system may further include a calibration mechanism to adjust sensitivity and improve accuracy in detecting key presses. The keyboard's design ensures durability and responsiveness while maintaining a low profile.
16. The keyboard defined in claim 15 wherein the transparent conductive lines comprise silicone doped with conductive particles.
A keyboard system includes a transparent touch-sensitive input layer overlaid on a display screen, allowing for direct interaction with displayed content. The input layer comprises a transparent conductive material forming a grid of conductive lines that detect touch inputs. These conductive lines are made of silicone doped with conductive particles, enhancing transparency while maintaining electrical conductivity. The silicone material provides flexibility and durability, ensuring the keyboard remains responsive to touch inputs while being optically clear. The conductive particles, such as carbon black, metal powders, or conductive polymers, are dispersed within the silicone to create a conductive path without significantly reducing transparency. This design enables the keyboard to overlay a display screen without obstructing the view, allowing users to interact with on-screen elements directly. The silicone-based conductive lines also resist wear and tear, ensuring long-term reliability. The system may include additional layers, such as a protective coating or an adhesive layer, to secure the input layer to the display screen. This approach solves the problem of integrating a touch-sensitive input device with a display screen while maintaining optical clarity and durability.
17. The keyboard defined in claim 16 wherein the transparent conductive lines overlap the at least one opening.
Technical Summary: This invention relates to a keyboard with enhanced touch sensitivity and optical functionality. The keyboard includes a transparent conductive layer with conductive lines that overlap openings in the keyboard structure. These openings allow light to pass through, enabling backlighting or optical sensing features. The overlapping conductive lines ensure that touch input remains accurate even where the openings are present, preventing gaps in touch detection. The transparent conductive layer is part of a larger touch-sensitive surface that detects user input, such as keystrokes or gestures. The openings may be aligned with keys or other functional areas, allowing light to illuminate specific regions or enabling optical sensors to detect user interactions. The conductive lines are arranged to maintain electrical continuity and touch sensitivity across the entire surface, ensuring reliable performance. This design improves both the visual and functional aspects of the keyboard, making it suitable for devices requiring precise touch input and integrated lighting or optical features.
18. A keyboard, comprising: an array of keys; key sensor circuitry that monitors the keys for key press events; a fabric layer that overlaps the keys, wherein the fabric layer has openings that are arranged to form alphanumeric characters; an array of light sources that emit light through the openings to illuminate the alphanumeric characters; and a capacitive touch sensor interposed between the fabric layer and the array of light sources, wherein the capacitive touch sensor comprises signal lines that are not visible through the openings.
A keyboard system is designed to provide illuminated alphanumeric characters through a fabric layer while maintaining touch sensitivity. The keyboard includes an array of keys and key sensor circuitry to detect key press events. A fabric layer overlays the keys, featuring openings arranged to form alphanumeric characters. An array of light sources emits light through these openings to illuminate the characters. A capacitive touch sensor is positioned between the fabric layer and the light sources, detecting touch inputs without interfering with the illuminated display. The touch sensor's signal lines are concealed, ensuring they remain invisible through the fabric openings. This design allows for a flexible, fabric-based keyboard with integrated touch functionality and backlit character visibility, addressing the need for a durable, interactive input device with clear visual feedback. The system combines tactile key presses with touch-sensitive input, enhancing usability in various environments.
19. The keyboard defined in claim 18 wherein the signal lines circumvent the openings.
A keyboard system includes a flexible printed circuit (FPC) with signal lines and openings for mechanical components such as key switches. The signal lines are routed around the openings to avoid interference, ensuring reliable electrical connections. The FPC is designed to accommodate the mechanical structure of the keyboard while maintaining signal integrity. The openings allow for the integration of key switches, stabilizers, or other components, and the signal lines are arranged to bypass these openings, preventing disruptions in signal transmission. This design ensures that the keyboard operates efficiently without signal loss or interference, even with multiple mechanical components integrated into the FPC. The routing of signal lines around the openings optimizes space utilization and maintains the structural integrity of the keyboard. The system is particularly useful in compact or high-density keyboard designs where space is limited, and signal reliability is critical. The flexible nature of the FPC allows for easy assembly and integration with other keyboard components, while the signal line routing ensures consistent performance. This approach enhances the durability and functionality of the keyboard, making it suitable for various applications, including consumer electronics and industrial devices.
20. The keyboard defined in claim 18 wherein the signal lines comprise transparent signal lines that overlap the openings.
A keyboard system includes a plurality of keys, each with a keycap and a switch mechanism. The keycap has an opening that allows light to pass through, and the switch mechanism is configured to detect key presses. The keyboard further includes a light guide plate positioned below the keycaps to direct light toward the openings. Signal lines are provided to transmit signals from the switch mechanisms to a processing unit. In this specific configuration, the signal lines are transparent and overlap the openings in the keycaps. This design allows the signal lines to be routed through the light path without obstructing the light transmission, ensuring that the backlighting remains uniform and unobstructed. The transparent signal lines enable efficient signal transmission while maintaining the aesthetic and functional integrity of the keyboard's lighting system. This approach is particularly useful in keyboards where backlighting is a critical feature, as it prevents signal lines from casting shadows or interfering with the light distribution. The transparent signal lines may be made from materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or other conductive transparent materials, ensuring both conductivity and optical transparency. This configuration enhances the overall design by integrating signal transmission and lighting functionality in a compact and visually seamless manner.
Unknown
December 24, 2019
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